One-dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymers: Structural diversity, luminescence and photocatalytic properties

•Three novel CdII Schiff base complexes were synthesized and fully characterized.•X-ray analydsis reveals the formation of 1D polymeric chains.•Luminescent properties were investigated.•All complexes showed good photocatalytic activity toward Congo Red degradation.•Photodegradation efficiency of the compounds is related to the band gap energy values.